How to Change Galaxy S8 On Screen Buttons

This quick guide will explain how to change the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ on screen buttons. This is a brand new phone with a lot of new features and changes. Like the missing physical home button. Thankfully the on-screen navigation buttons are completely customizable, and here’s how.

Following the March 29th announcement Samsung finally released these new phones on April 21st. Now that the Galaxy S8 is in the hands of millions of users, many will have questions.

Above are the first 10 things all new owners should do. Additionally, below are some quick and easy instructions for customizing the navigation bar. Owners can change the on screen buttons order, background color and more.

For the first time in seven years, and on any Galaxy, the S8 has virtual on-screen keys. Not physical back, home and recent apps buttons like past devices. As a result owners will have to completely re-learn how the interact with the smartphone. It’s pretty easy though, and works like most other Android phones available today.

Lucky Samsung included a slew of customization options and controls. If this is your first Galaxy the on screen “Back” button is likely in the wrong place. All other Androids put it on the left side of the device. If you want to change that and other things, here’s how.

How to Customize the Galaxy S8 On Screen Navigation Buttons

Just like anything, users can head into the settings menu and find a lot of advanced controls and options. Samsung allows owners to switch up the button order, add a background color and some other cool things.

Pull down the notification bar and tap the gear-shaped Settings Button (or find Settings in the app tray)

Tap on Display

Scroll down and select Navigation Bar

From here users have a few options to choose from. You can change the background color for the on-screen keys based on the device theme. Or choose from an entire color selection. Additionally Samsung added a color-wheel for absolute customization.

Next simply select Button Layout and choose whether you want the back button on the left side like most Android devices, or Samsung style on the right side.

Users have the option to make a hard-press of the home button take you home from any location. Whether the phone is locked, off, or even in fullscreen mode running an app or movie. We’d recommend enabling this. And finally, there’s a slider where owners can customize how hard or light the vibration motor is with the virtual on screen keys and home button.

As a quick note, there will be certain circumstances where the on-screen navigation background color won’t be what you choose. Some apps or even the the home screen will default to transparent or other colors. Either way, it’s nice to have this level of customization on Samsung’s latest and greatest smartphone. While you’re here, get a Galaxy S8+ screen protector from our roundup below.

8 Best Galaxy S8+ Screen Protectors

SuperShieldz 3D Glass for Galaxy S8+

Supershieldz is one of the first on our list because they offer a slew of different products design to protect our smartphones. From regular film screen protectors, matte or privacy glass, to real glass screen protectors. Here we'll be suggesting the latter of the three.

Supershieldz uses a tempered, strengthened and reinforced glass just like what comes on the Galaxy S8+ out of the box. Meaning it won't scratch or damage easily. The company uses a 3D technology to round the edges and prevent chips or a case causing the protector to come off during use.

The product listing promises a scratch-free, fingerprint-free, and bubble-free experience with their product.

It has a color-matched black framing to make the protection look invisible on your device, and an easy to apply adhesive that won't bubble or leave residue if removed. Supershieldz also offers a hassle-free lifetime replacement program. If it gets scratched or breaks, they'll replace it no questions asked. Try one of these today, it's what I have on my Galaxy S7 Edge and Google Pixel XL.